St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-02
CH1CAGo,s PERIL.

RISoN's refusal for the third time to be-
come the Democratic candidate apparently
leaves the field an open one for social
istic victory. The probabilities are that
the labor candidate will be elected mayor,
and as he is 50 bound up with the social
lists his election would be equivalent to
triumph of socialism. This is not a pleas
ant outlook for Chicago and does not bode
well for the city's future prosperity. With
the city government in the hands of the
socialstic element Chicago will have a
very stumpy row to hoe for the next two
years. 1t may be- debatable question
whether the Republicans orDemocrats are
most to blame for this condition OF affairs
but on the surface it looks as if the Re-
publicans were most culpable. 1t doesn't
seem possible that a Republican candidate
can be elected unless CARTER HARRISON
agrees to stand as candidate. Mr.. HAIR
RIsoN's candidacy would unquestionably
weaken the labor ticket. and while
he could not hope to be elected
he might possibly aid in the election of
ROCHE. There is no reason why the Re-
publicans should demand this sacrifice of
Mr.. HARRISON. He is under no obliga-
tiunS to them, for RoCHE's nomination was
made for no other purpose than to defeat
HARRISON. 1t was pretty well understood
that as between HARRISON and NELSON.
the SOcialiStic candidate, the former would
be elected. The Republican leaders knew
perfectly well that HARRISON could be re-
nominated, and would be. if he could be
induced to accept the nomination. They
were well enough assured that he could be
induced to accept the nomination if his
election was made certain. With full
knowledge OF all these facts the Republicans
deliberately nominated ROCHE, for the pur-
pose of killing off HARRISON, with the eX-
pectation that the Democrats would put up
a candidate who would weaken NELSON
and thus contribute to ROCHE chances for
election. The Chicago Democrats have dis
appointed the Republican schemers. They
refuse TO nominate any one but HARRISON.
and he refuses to accept the nomination. So
the contest is reduced to fight between
ROCHE and NELSON, with all the probable
tiles OF success in favor Of the latter. There
is only one chance left for the conservative
interests of the city. That is for the Re-
publicans to withdraw their candidate and
unite wife the Democrats on union ticket
as was done in Milwaukee. Socialism has
gained such footiiold in Chicago that the
only way to overpower it is by the combi-
nation of all anti-socialstir elements. The
situation is exceedingly grave and the bust
ness men of the great metropolis ought not
allow their interests to be imDeriied by the
selfish folly of few partisan leaders. Their
only security is in union, without respect to
political prejudices or opinions. If the
socialists get control of the municipal gov
eminent it will not be small matter of two
years duration, as Mayor HARRISON sug-
gested in his talk to the Democratic COM
mttee the other night. If they get control
now it will likely be permanent. At ali
events. at the end of two years of social
istic rule, there wouldn't be enough left in
Chicago to make it OF any practical differ
ence what political party came into power
after that. Two years of socialism in Chi
cago would undo all that it has taken fifty
years of the most marvellous exhibition of
enterprise the world ever saw to build up.
With this condition of affairs staring them
in the face. it is singular that the people of
Chicago are not more exercised over the
matter than they seem to be. Is it possible
that they are indeed stricken with judicial
blindness?